- Personage:
-
Novello Malatesta
Novello Malatesta, (Domenico Novello), born in 1418, Lord of Cesena from 1429 until his death in 1465; brother of Sigismondo Pandolfo M.
- Artist:
-
Antonio Pisano (known as Pisanello)
—
Painter and Sculptor, 1395-1455.
He was born in Pisa, worked in Rimini, Venice, Naples, Ferrara and Mantova. Pisanello is considered ‘The Creator’ of the Renaissance medals.
- Description:
-
Obverse: Above: DVX · EQVITVM · PRAESTANS and, across the field in two lines MALATESTA · NOVELLVS · CESENAE · DOMINVS. Bust facing left with short curly hair, wearing fur-trimmed dress.
Reverse: OPVS · PISANI · PICTORIS. Scene: Malatesta in full armour, visor closed, kneeling facing right, clasping the feet of a crucifix; on the left, his horse seen from behind, fastened to a leafless tree, rocky rising ground on the right with another leafless tree.
- Background:
-
Cast in 1445; may refer to a vow to found the hospital of the Holy Crucifix made at the battle of Montolmo in 1444.
- Diameter:
- 82.7 mm. (Max. Diameter reported: 86 mm.). Bronze cast.
- Evaluation:
- Likely original cast with moderate wear.
- Reference:
- Hill 35, Armand I, 6,16; Kress 15.